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DUring Nearshore Event eXperiment (DUNEX) is a multi-agency, academic, and non-governmental organization (NGO) collaborative community experiment designed to study nearshore coastal processes during storm events. The experiment began in 2019 and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2021. USGS participation in DUNEX will contribute new measurements and models that will increase our understanding of storm impacts to coastal environments, including hazards to humans and infrastructure and changes in landscape and natural habitats. The data will help evaluate and improve the models used to forecast coastal water levels and storm impacts.
The goal for DUNEX is to obtain aerial imagery along the Outer Banks on a semi-regular (approximately monthly) basis and also include additional post-storm flights.
USGS has chosen Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge as a study location to investigate and characterize the magnitude and timing of changes to coastal morphology (i.e., dunes, shorelines), bathymetry, and landcover after a storm.
As part of the DUring Nearshore Event eXperiment (DUNEX) we are mapping the geology and morphology of the nearshore coastal environment before and after weather events to assess the impact storms have on coastal erosion.
Major support for DUNEX is provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. USGS activities are supported by the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program. Academic partners are funded by the North Carolina Sea Grant and the National Science Foundation. Activities on Pea Island will be conducted under permits from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and the National Park Service, Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Metal poles and equipment will be installed on the beach and in the surf zone out to 600 yards from the shore at Pea Island, just south of New Inlet, from September (after Labor Day) to mid-November. Installations may not be visible at all tides and conditions. These are EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS!! Please DO NOT SWIM, SURF, FISH, or BOAT between the signs on the beach (red zone below) and be cautious of currents that may cause you to drift into the hazardous area.
The poles are 3” diameter and 15’ long, with about 5 feet extending above the seabed, to support the instruments that continuously measure wave heights, water levels, and currents using acoustics.
Research proposed as part of DUNEX is separated into multiple interrelated research components, each with specific scientific and programmatic objectives and operational tasks. These include various forms of data collection and numerical modeling.
Aerial Imagery of the Outer Banks. Imagery from Duck, NC to Cape Lookout, NC has been collected, by airplane, every few months since August 2019, before and after storms. The goal is to evaluate the nature and magnitude of coastal change immediately after storms and during subsequent recovery.
The Pea Island Experiment investigates the forces that cause flooding and coastal change: storm-driven waves, high water levels, and sand movement on an undeveloped barrier island. This involves intensive measurements of waves, currents, run-up, water levels, the seabed composition, sandbar migration, and sediment transport via the following:
A similar project will be conducted at the Field Research Station in Duck, NC to compare the same forces in a heavily modified residential area.
*To withstand the power of the ocean during storms, these instruments are mounted on long steel pipes that are jetted into the seafloor. Once installed, up to 6ft of the pipe and attached instruments still protrude from the seafloor towards the sea surface and may stick out of the water on very low tides. These create an extreme hazard to those using the area – the danger zone is indicated by signs placed on the beach. For your own safety please avoid swimming and surfing in this area and be cautious of currents that may cause you to drift into the hazardous area.
Geophysical and Topobathy Studies at the USACE Field Research Facility in Duck, NC will investigate how the geology and morphology of the shoreface respond to storms on a developed and partially armored barrier island. This includes pre-storm, post-storm, and recovery period data.
Numerical Models of waves, currents, water levels, and sediment transport, can fill in gaps in space or time in the observations and can be controlled to investigate specific oceanographic forces. Models are being developed and compared to measurements made at the USACE Field Research Facility and Pea Island. Insights into coastal processes gained from numerical modeling experiments expand our ability to forecast waves, water levels, and coastal change around the US.
By combining the data from all aspects and locations of the DUNEX project, model outputs, maps, and historical data researchers will be able to highlight areas of high impact and evaluate changes over time. Analysis of these data will help expose the implications of storm-induced coastal change, specifically for humans and early successional species (e.g., piping plover, sea turtles).
Below are other science projects associated with the USGS DUNEX Operations on the Outer Banks
Below are multimedia items associated with USGS DUNEX Operations on the Outer Banks.
To install instruments offshore professional divers were hired to work alongside USGS personnel. Here, long segments of pipe are jetted into the seafloor to which instruments will be attached to measure offshore oceanographic conditions.
To install instruments offshore professional divers were hired to work alongside USGS personnel. Here, long segments of pipe are jetted into the seafloor to which instruments will be attached to measure offshore oceanographic conditions.
USGS personnel install signs on the beach warning and informing beach goers of the DUNEX experiment
USGS personnel install signs on the beach warning and informing beach goers of the DUNEX experiment
USGS researcher Jenna Brown takes a measurement with a real time kinematic GPS receiver, this will give her an accurate position and height of the aluminum pole beneath it, which will have mutliple instruments attached to it to measure water flow and elevation changes.
USGS researcher Jenna Brown takes a measurement with a real time kinematic GPS receiver, this will give her an accurate position and height of the aluminum pole beneath it, which will have mutliple instruments attached to it to measure water flow and elevation changes.
Coastal communities, especially those on barrier islands, are vulnerable to processes of coastal change. The DUring Nearshore Event eXperiment (DUNEX) project is a multi-agency, a
Coastal communities, especially those on barrier islands, are vulnerable to processes of coastal change. The DUring Nearshore Event eXperiment (DUNEX) project is a multi-agency, a
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
The US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck, NC has set up a variety of sensors and arrays on the beach to measure oceanographic paramters for DUNEX
The US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck, NC has set up a variety of sensors and arrays on the beach to measure oceanographic paramters for DUNEX
To survey the bathymetry off of the Pea Island DUNEX site WHOI investigator Peter Traykovski prepares to run into the surf with the ASV nicknamed "Robo Turtle" while USGS investigator Chris Sherwood handles the remote controller.
To survey the bathymetry off of the Pea Island DUNEX site WHOI investigator Peter Traykovski prepares to run into the surf with the ASV nicknamed "Robo Turtle" while USGS investigator Chris Sherwood handles the remote controller.
The Helikite in action, being walked by WHOI scientist, Peter Traykovski, at Pea Island DUNEX site, the helium powered balloon kite is used to survey the beach and dune to produce elevation models using Structure from Motion.
The Helikite in action, being walked by WHOI scientist, Peter Traykovski, at Pea Island DUNEX site, the helium powered balloon kite is used to survey the beach and dune to produce elevation models using Structure from Motion.
To survey the bathymetry off of the Pea Island DUNEX site WHOI investigator Peter Traykovski, and USGS investigator, Chris Sherwood, prepare to launch the ASV into the water to measure the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX site.
To survey the bathymetry off of the Pea Island DUNEX site WHOI investigator Peter Traykovski, and USGS investigator, Chris Sherwood, prepare to launch the ASV into the water to measure the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX site.
A novel stereo CoastCam will be installed on at dune at Pea Island for the duration of the experiment.
A novel stereo CoastCam will be installed on at dune at Pea Island for the duration of the experiment.
USGS Research Geologist Jennifer Miselis will conduct shoreface geophysical surveys at the USACE Field Research Facility during DUNEX aboard the LARC, which is shown here being set up for the survey.
USGS Research Geologist Jennifer Miselis will conduct shoreface geophysical surveys at the USACE Field Research Facility during DUNEX aboard the LARC, which is shown here being set up for the survey.
A geophysical instrument (chirp) is towed in the water (yellow instrument) from a floating sled to acquire information about the geology below the seafloor in Duck, NC as part of DUNEX. The USACE Field Research Facility can be seen in the background in the upper left corner.
A geophysical instrument (chirp) is towed in the water (yellow instrument) from a floating sled to acquire information about the geology below the seafloor in Duck, NC as part of DUNEX. The USACE Field Research Facility can be seen in the background in the upper left corner.
The USGS will be using an autonomous surf vehicle, built by Peter Traykovski of WHOI, to map the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX Experiment Site.
The USGS will be using an autonomous surf vehicle, built by Peter Traykovski of WHOI, to map the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX Experiment Site.
The autonomous surf vehicle, built and controlled remotely by Peter Traykovski of WHOI, is used to map the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX Experiment Site.
The autonomous surf vehicle, built and controlled remotely by Peter Traykovski of WHOI, is used to map the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX Experiment Site.
DUring Nearshore Event eXperiment (DUNEX) is a multi-agency, academic, and non-governmental organization (NGO) collaborative community experiment designed to study nearshore coastal processes during storm events. The experiment began in 2019 and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2021. USGS participation in DUNEX will contribute new measurements and models that will increase our understanding of storm impacts to coastal environments, including hazards to humans and infrastructure and changes in landscape and natural habitats. The data will help evaluate and improve the models used to forecast coastal water levels and storm impacts.
The goal for DUNEX is to obtain aerial imagery along the Outer Banks on a semi-regular (approximately monthly) basis and also include additional post-storm flights.
USGS has chosen Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge as a study location to investigate and characterize the magnitude and timing of changes to coastal morphology (i.e., dunes, shorelines), bathymetry, and landcover after a storm.
As part of the DUring Nearshore Event eXperiment (DUNEX) we are mapping the geology and morphology of the nearshore coastal environment before and after weather events to assess the impact storms have on coastal erosion.
Major support for DUNEX is provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. USGS activities are supported by the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program. Academic partners are funded by the North Carolina Sea Grant and the National Science Foundation. Activities on Pea Island will be conducted under permits from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and the National Park Service, Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Metal poles and equipment will be installed on the beach and in the surf zone out to 600 yards from the shore at Pea Island, just south of New Inlet, from September (after Labor Day) to mid-November. Installations may not be visible at all tides and conditions. These are EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS!! Please DO NOT SWIM, SURF, FISH, or BOAT between the signs on the beach (red zone below) and be cautious of currents that may cause you to drift into the hazardous area.
The poles are 3” diameter and 15’ long, with about 5 feet extending above the seabed, to support the instruments that continuously measure wave heights, water levels, and currents using acoustics.
Research proposed as part of DUNEX is separated into multiple interrelated research components, each with specific scientific and programmatic objectives and operational tasks. These include various forms of data collection and numerical modeling.
Aerial Imagery of the Outer Banks. Imagery from Duck, NC to Cape Lookout, NC has been collected, by airplane, every few months since August 2019, before and after storms. The goal is to evaluate the nature and magnitude of coastal change immediately after storms and during subsequent recovery.
The Pea Island Experiment investigates the forces that cause flooding and coastal change: storm-driven waves, high water levels, and sand movement on an undeveloped barrier island. This involves intensive measurements of waves, currents, run-up, water levels, the seabed composition, sandbar migration, and sediment transport via the following:
A similar project will be conducted at the Field Research Station in Duck, NC to compare the same forces in a heavily modified residential area.
*To withstand the power of the ocean during storms, these instruments are mounted on long steel pipes that are jetted into the seafloor. Once installed, up to 6ft of the pipe and attached instruments still protrude from the seafloor towards the sea surface and may stick out of the water on very low tides. These create an extreme hazard to those using the area – the danger zone is indicated by signs placed on the beach. For your own safety please avoid swimming and surfing in this area and be cautious of currents that may cause you to drift into the hazardous area.
Geophysical and Topobathy Studies at the USACE Field Research Facility in Duck, NC will investigate how the geology and morphology of the shoreface respond to storms on a developed and partially armored barrier island. This includes pre-storm, post-storm, and recovery period data.
Numerical Models of waves, currents, water levels, and sediment transport, can fill in gaps in space or time in the observations and can be controlled to investigate specific oceanographic forces. Models are being developed and compared to measurements made at the USACE Field Research Facility and Pea Island. Insights into coastal processes gained from numerical modeling experiments expand our ability to forecast waves, water levels, and coastal change around the US.
By combining the data from all aspects and locations of the DUNEX project, model outputs, maps, and historical data researchers will be able to highlight areas of high impact and evaluate changes over time. Analysis of these data will help expose the implications of storm-induced coastal change, specifically for humans and early successional species (e.g., piping plover, sea turtles).
Below are other science projects associated with the USGS DUNEX Operations on the Outer Banks
Below are multimedia items associated with USGS DUNEX Operations on the Outer Banks.
To install instruments offshore professional divers were hired to work alongside USGS personnel. Here, long segments of pipe are jetted into the seafloor to which instruments will be attached to measure offshore oceanographic conditions.
To install instruments offshore professional divers were hired to work alongside USGS personnel. Here, long segments of pipe are jetted into the seafloor to which instruments will be attached to measure offshore oceanographic conditions.
USGS personnel install signs on the beach warning and informing beach goers of the DUNEX experiment
USGS personnel install signs on the beach warning and informing beach goers of the DUNEX experiment
USGS researcher Jenna Brown takes a measurement with a real time kinematic GPS receiver, this will give her an accurate position and height of the aluminum pole beneath it, which will have mutliple instruments attached to it to measure water flow and elevation changes.
USGS researcher Jenna Brown takes a measurement with a real time kinematic GPS receiver, this will give her an accurate position and height of the aluminum pole beneath it, which will have mutliple instruments attached to it to measure water flow and elevation changes.
Coastal communities, especially those on barrier islands, are vulnerable to processes of coastal change. The DUring Nearshore Event eXperiment (DUNEX) project is a multi-agency, a
Coastal communities, especially those on barrier islands, are vulnerable to processes of coastal change. The DUring Nearshore Event eXperiment (DUNEX) project is a multi-agency, a
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
An alternative to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS; commonly known as 'drones'), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists use helikites equipped with cameras to collect imagery of the coastline. The pictures collected by these helium-powered kite-balloons are used to create a 3D digital elevation map of the beach.
The US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck, NC has set up a variety of sensors and arrays on the beach to measure oceanographic paramters for DUNEX
The US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck, NC has set up a variety of sensors and arrays on the beach to measure oceanographic paramters for DUNEX
To survey the bathymetry off of the Pea Island DUNEX site WHOI investigator Peter Traykovski prepares to run into the surf with the ASV nicknamed "Robo Turtle" while USGS investigator Chris Sherwood handles the remote controller.
To survey the bathymetry off of the Pea Island DUNEX site WHOI investigator Peter Traykovski prepares to run into the surf with the ASV nicknamed "Robo Turtle" while USGS investigator Chris Sherwood handles the remote controller.
The Helikite in action, being walked by WHOI scientist, Peter Traykovski, at Pea Island DUNEX site, the helium powered balloon kite is used to survey the beach and dune to produce elevation models using Structure from Motion.
The Helikite in action, being walked by WHOI scientist, Peter Traykovski, at Pea Island DUNEX site, the helium powered balloon kite is used to survey the beach and dune to produce elevation models using Structure from Motion.
To survey the bathymetry off of the Pea Island DUNEX site WHOI investigator Peter Traykovski, and USGS investigator, Chris Sherwood, prepare to launch the ASV into the water to measure the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX site.
To survey the bathymetry off of the Pea Island DUNEX site WHOI investigator Peter Traykovski, and USGS investigator, Chris Sherwood, prepare to launch the ASV into the water to measure the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX site.
A novel stereo CoastCam will be installed on at dune at Pea Island for the duration of the experiment.
A novel stereo CoastCam will be installed on at dune at Pea Island for the duration of the experiment.
USGS Research Geologist Jennifer Miselis will conduct shoreface geophysical surveys at the USACE Field Research Facility during DUNEX aboard the LARC, which is shown here being set up for the survey.
USGS Research Geologist Jennifer Miselis will conduct shoreface geophysical surveys at the USACE Field Research Facility during DUNEX aboard the LARC, which is shown here being set up for the survey.
A geophysical instrument (chirp) is towed in the water (yellow instrument) from a floating sled to acquire information about the geology below the seafloor in Duck, NC as part of DUNEX. The USACE Field Research Facility can be seen in the background in the upper left corner.
A geophysical instrument (chirp) is towed in the water (yellow instrument) from a floating sled to acquire information about the geology below the seafloor in Duck, NC as part of DUNEX. The USACE Field Research Facility can be seen in the background in the upper left corner.
The USGS will be using an autonomous surf vehicle, built by Peter Traykovski of WHOI, to map the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX Experiment Site.
The USGS will be using an autonomous surf vehicle, built by Peter Traykovski of WHOI, to map the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX Experiment Site.
The autonomous surf vehicle, built and controlled remotely by Peter Traykovski of WHOI, is used to map the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX Experiment Site.
The autonomous surf vehicle, built and controlled remotely by Peter Traykovski of WHOI, is used to map the bathymetry of the Pea Island DUNEX Experiment Site.